Pets and Apartments – To pet or not to pet….

Pets and Apartments – To pet or not to pet….

Posted on 12 May 2019

Pets and Apartments – To pet or not to pet….

Did you know that Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world? With more than 62% of us owning a pet of some shape or size. This also means that there is an increase in tenants and apartment owners asking if they can have a pet!

As those of you know, finding a rental property that will take pets is a rare find but finding an apartment complex that allows pets is like a needle in a haystack!

Gaining approval for pets to be in a rental property – a house or an apartment; or approval for a pet in an apartment you would like to purchase has previously been faced with resistance from landlords, body corporates and even the neighbours, however, that is all slowly changing.

Here at Nobel Realtors, approximately 30% of our inquiry for rental properties comes with the question, ‘Can I have a pet?’, anything from cats, dogs, parrots, turtles, even reptiles and rodents are on the list of beloved animals.

A recent article on Domain.com.au even commented that median asking rents for pet-friendly apartments are higher than for homes that don’t allow pets (according to Domain Group data).

Proportion of properties advertised as pet-friendly

City

Houses

Apartments

Adelaide

47%

6%

Brisbane

52%

14%

Canberra

39%

7%

Darwin

70%

17%

Hobart

37%

9%

Melbourne

9%

3%

Perth

49%

10%

Sydney

21%

7%

Are you a landlord willing to change with the times or perhaps you are the pet owner feeling relieved that the market is changing? Either way, the recognition of pets as companions and members of our families can be seen across the board – pet-friendly cafes, restaurants, hotels, holiday homes and even the recent call for pets to be allowed on our public transport.